Tumbler feeding mechanism



Aug. 2, 1938. H. w. 'SCHNEIDER ET AL TUMBLER FEEDING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April'l9, 1937 b000 cooo s s m 4... T NW m 0 mmn 7A ha 6/ 8. W w E m Au 2, 1938. H. w. SCHNEIDER E AL 2,125,337

TUMBLER FEEDING MECHANISM Aug. 2, 1938. H. w. SCHNEIDER ET AL 2,125,837

TUMBLER FEEDING MECHANISM Filed April 19, 1937 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 2, 1938.

H. w. SCHNEIDER ET AL 2,125,837 TUMBLER FEEDING MECHANISM Filed April 19, 1957 e Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 22,1938. H. w. SCHNEIDER ET AL 2,125,837

TUMBLER FEEDING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 19, 1937 a 5 M 5 w z M J fi m m 00 w m w H 9 H. w@ SCHNEIDER ET AL 2,125,837

TUMBLE R FEEDING MECHANISM Filed April 19, 1957 s Sheets-Sheet 6 TORNE Y5 Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNITED STATES v 2,125,837 TUDIBLER FEEDING MECHANISM Henry W. Schneider and Lawrence 0. Mankin,

Toledo, Ohio, assignors to Libbey Glass Company, a corporation of Uhio Application April 19, 1937, Serial No. 137,716

19 Claims.

The stenciling apparatus comprising the present invention is primarily adapted for use in applying a vitreous enamel composition or paint to articles of glassware such as tumblers, bottles,

5 jars and the like and to other articles of a vitreous or ceramic nature in the lettering or decorating thereof by a stenciling process.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a fully automatic apparatus which will gen- 10 erally improve and simplify the operation of applying the vitreous enamel composition to such articles; which will materially increase the quantity of work performed as well as improving the quality and uniformity thereof; and which will 15 eliminate the necessity of employing skilled labor otherwise required in performing the same type of stenciling operations.

The invention is embodied in an apparatus of the type employing a stencil screen capable of 2 movement relative to the article undergoing decoration and having permeable portions representing the design to be applied to the article through which the enamel is transferred to the article by the spreading action of a squeegee.

25 A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type just mentionedin which tumblers or other articles undergoing decoration are automatically fed to the apparatus, are conducted by and oriented in the apparatus to a 30- decorating station in proper position for cooperation with a stencil screen and squeegee assembly "by means of which the articles are automatically lettered or decorated and are released by the stencil screen for removal from the apparatus.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a stenciling apparatus manufacturedin accordance with .the present invention";

40 Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the stenciling apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially 45 along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially 1 along the line 55 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken 50 longitudinally through a valve shaft employed in connection with the stenciling apparatus; Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8--8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially 55 along the line 99 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of a portion of the apparatus illustrating the manner in which an article conveyor employed for feeding the apparatus is actuated;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken substantially 5 along'the line H-ll of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the pneumatic controlling mechanism for the apparatus.

The apparatus involves in its general organi- 10 zation a lower platform or table 20 including vertically extending longitudinal side plates 2| and 22 and vertically extending end plates 23 and 24'. The table 20 is provided with supporting legs 25 forming a part of the framework of the apparatus.

TUMBLER FEEDING MECHANISM Referring now to Figs. 2, 5 and 11, an endless conveyor is designated at 26 and consists of a pair of conveyor chains 21 and 28 which are supported at one end of the conveyor adjacent the apparatus on a pair of conveyor wheels 29 mounted on a horizontal shaft 30 supported in bearings 3| mounted on the side plate 2|. A series of tumbler supports 32 are carried by the chains 21 and 28 and are designed to support thereon the tumblers T to be fed to the apparatus; Secured to the end plate 23 adjacent the dipping end of. the conveyor 26, is an incline or runway 33 upon which the tumblers T are deposited in a cumbent position from the dipping end of the conveyor. The incline or runway 33 is of suflicient length to accommodate but two tumblers at a time, and thus the arcuate path travelled by the tumblers in rolling down the surface of the incline 33 may be kept well within the confines of the latter.

The tumbler supporting conveyor 26 whic forms a part of the tumbler feeding mechanism is adapted to be periodically indexed in synchronism with other operating instrumentalities of the apparatus in order'that the tumblers T may be fed one at a time. to the incline 33. Toward this end, the conveyor shaft 30 (Figs. 10 and 11) is provided with a gear 34 which meshes with a similar gear 35 mounted on a jack shaft 36 rotatably supported in bearings 31 secured to the faceplate 2|. A gear 38 loosely mounted on the shaft 36 carries a. pawl 39 which engages a ratchet wheel 40 keyed to the shaft 36. The gear 38 is in constant mesh with a toothed rack ll form'edxon a normally retracted plunger 42 connected to a piston 43 (Fig. 12) which is reciprocable in a cylinder 44 which is bolted or anism 40, 39, jack shaft 36, and gears 34 and 35 to the conveyor shaft 30 which will be periodically indexed to cause the conveyor to deposit the tumblers T one at a time onto the incline 33.

TUMBLER Rnomvmo AND ELEVATING MECHANISM From the incline 33, the tumblers T are adapted to be successively received upon a tumbler support 45 (Fig. 2) by means of which they are given an initial lift into alignment with a circular arcuate track 41, forming a part of a tumbler orienting mechanism subsequently to be described, and by means of which they are elevated and positioned against the underneath side of a stencil screen S, forming a part of a decorating assembly likewise to be described, in operative decorating relation with respect thereto. Toward this end, the end plate 23 has secured thereto a bracket 45' (Figs. 2 and 3) carrying a bearing 49 in which there is mounted for vertical reciprocation a rod 55 having mounted at its upper end the tumbler support or lift 45 which is in the form of an arcuate supporting plate having a depending abutment plate 5| formed thereon against which the foremost tumbler T on the incline 33 is adapted to bear prior to its removal from the latter. The lower end of the rod 50 is anchored in a bracket 52 formed on a slide 53 which is vertically slidable in the bracket 48 and the upper end of which is pivotally secured to one end of a link 54, the otherend of which link is pivotally secured to a crank arm 55 mounted on a horizontal rock shaft 56 which is mounted for rocking movement in bearings 51 and 58 (Fig. 1). The bearing 51 is integrally formed on and supported by a pair of standards 59 and 60, while the bearing 55 is formed on an upright support 5i, all of whichstandards are mounted upon the table 23.

The rock shaft 55 has secured thereto adjacent the rear end thereof a gear 52 which meshes with a toothed rack 53 provided on a plunger 54 secured to the piston 43 (Fig. 12) which is mounted in the cylinder 44 (Fig. 1) previously referred to. Thus it will be seen that reciprocation of the piston 43 in the cylinder 44 will im-' part rocking movement to the rock shaft 55, thus causing vertical reciprocation of the rod 50 and tumbler support 45 thereon through the medium of the crank arm 55, link 54 and slide 53. As the rod 50 assumes its lowermost position as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, the abutment plate 5| will be lowered out of the path of movement of the foremost tumbler T on the incline 33, while the tumbler lift 45 will occupy a position belowthe level of the incline, thus permitting the foremost tumbler T to move by gravity onto the 'lift 45. Subsequent upward movement of the lift 45 carries the tumbler T to the full line position indicated.

13mm Oamm'mo Mncnaiusn 'in the vicinity of the stencil screen S. The runway 41 is supported by means of a spider 15 carried by a plate Ii bolted to a face plate I! formed on the standard 55. The tumblers T are adapted to be individually propelled upwardly on the runway 41 and rotatably supported in operative decorating position in contact with the underneath side of the stencil screen S at a decorating station D during application of the lettering or design to the tapered sides thereof. Toward this end, a horizontal shaft 13 (Figs. 1 and 2) is supported in bearings I4 and 15, the former of which is integrally formed on and supported by the standards 53 and 50, and the latter ofwhich is formed on the support 6!. The shaft 13 extends forwardly of the arcuate runway 41 and has keyed thereto at spaced points therealong, front and rear hub members I5 and 11 which are substantially identical in formation. Extending through each hub member and adjustable therein by means of set screws 18 are two pairs of supporting rods 13, the pairs extending in opposite directions. The free ends of 7 each pair of rods 19 support therebetween a tumbler supporting rack 50 and each rack is provided with a pair of spaced article supporting rollers 8|. The outer rollers, i. e.,' the rollers which are supported from the front hub 16, are designed to support therebetween the rim portion of a tumbler to be decorated, while the inner rollers 8| which are supported from the rear hub H are designed to support therebetween the base portion of the tumbler. The longitudinal distance between the respective pairs of rollers 8i may be varied to compensate for differences in the lengths of various tumblers to be decorated, and accordingly, the hubs l6 and II are longitudinally adjustable on the shaft 13 by means of set screws 82.

The supporting rods 19 normally occupy a vertical position with either rack 50 positioned directly below the shaft I3 and at an elevation whereby the rollers 3i carried thereby are engaged by the tumbler T supported on the elevated lift 46. Each rack is provided at one side thereof with a tumbler impeller 83 which, when the rack 55 is in its lower position, depends therefrom on one side of the tumbler for the purpose of impelling the same upwardly on the arcuate runway 41 into decorating position when the shaft I3 is periodically indexed throughout an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees as will be described presently. During the upward movement of the tumbler T on the runway 41, the side of the tumbler bears against the impeller 83 and is confined between the rollers 8i and the runway 41. In the upper regions of the runway, the tumbler comes to rest on the rollers 5|. As the tumbler leaves the upper end of the runway, it engages the stencil screen S, and when the shaft 13 has been completely indexed, the tumbler is rotatably supported on the rollers 8! at the decorating 'station D in tangential rolling line contact with the stencil screen S.

In order to periodically index the shaft 13 and thus impel the tumblers T upwardly in the manner just described, a crank arm 34 (Figs. 1 and 4) is mounted on the shaft 55 and is provided with a pawl 55 adjacent its outer end. The pawl 55 is adapted to successively engage each of four teeth 55 provided on a ratchet wheel 31 which is formed on a sleeve 55 that is loosely mounted on the shaft 55. Integraliy formed on the sleeve 55 is a gear 55 which meshes with a gear 35 which is keyed to the shaft I3. Thus it will be seen that as the piston 43 (Fig. 12) reciprocates in the cylinder 44, periodic indexing of the shaft 13 will occur, motion being periodically imparted thereto through the rack 53, gear 53, shaft 55, 7s

T m DECORATING INSTRUMENTALITIES Supporting framework Referring now to Figs. 1, 3, 5 and 6, the decorating instrumentalities of the apparatus include an upper table 9| which is supported upon a pair of front standards 92 and a pair of rear standards 93, which standards are bolted to the lower table 28. A pair of upright supports 94 are bolted to the table 9I and extend upwardly from the rear corners thereof and serve to support therebetween a transverse horizontal rock shaft 95. The rock shaft 95 extends across the rear edge of the table 9I, is substantially coextensive therewith, and rockably supports the inner or rear edge of a stencil screen assembly 96. A squeegee assembly 91, including a squeegee S, is operatively supported upon and carried by the stencil screen assembly 96.

Stencil screen assembly The stencil screen assembly 96 includes a forwardly extending frame 98 of generally rectangular shape. The side portions of the frame 98 normally rest upon and are supported by a pair of bearing blocks 99 which will be subsequently Bolted or otherwise secured to the referred to. frame sides at the forward ends thereof is a relatively heavy casting I00, generally of rectangular formation, provided with an elongated transversely extending opening IOI (Fig. 2), across the bottom of which extends a slideway I02, the purpose of which will appear presently. A supporting beam I03 is secured to the-upper side of the frame 98 and extends rearwardly of the machine, passing over the rock shaft 95. Pivoted to the beam I03 by means of a nut and bolt assembly I04 adjacent the rear end thereof and spaced therefrom by means of a spacing collar I05, is a forwardly extending radius arm I06 which projects into the rectangular opening IOI in the casting I00. The radius arm I06 is provided with a series or row of aligned apertures I01 in which the nut and bolt assembly I04 is selectively receivable to vary the effective length of the radius arm I06 and the are through which it may swing about the axis of the pivot. The outer end of the radius arm I06 within the opening I8I carries an elongated crosshead I08, the length of which is somewhat less than the width of the opening IN. A pair of metal runners I09 (Fig. 2) designed for sliding movement on the slideway I02 are secured to the lower surface of the crosshead I08, one at each end thereof. The crosshead I08 is, by virtue of the pivotal connec-. tion with the radius arm I06, capable of reciprocation within the rectangular opening IOI throughout an arc, the extent of which is limited by means of a pair of adjustable limit stops IIO carried by the frame 98 and adapted to be engaged alternately by one or the other of a pair of abutments III formed on the crosshead I08.

A pair of stencil screen supporting arms II2 (Fig. 6) are'secured to the crosshead I08 at op-, posite ends thereof and project forwardly therefrom and support therebetween a rectangular,

which is secured in position by means of brackets H4. The screen S, previously referred to, is formed of silk or any other preferred screen material and has impervious portions and pervious portions, the latter representing the design to be stenciled upon the articles. The screen is stretched across the bottom of the frame H3 and is secured thereto in any preferred manner. The screen is adapted upon oscillation of the radius arm I06 and crosshead I08 to move in its own plane in tractional rolling line contact with the tumbler T undergoing decoration.

In order to oscillate the radius arm l06'and the stencil screen assembly carried thereby in the manner just described, the frame 98 is provided with a pair of rearwardly extending cylinder supporting arms II5 and H6 (Figs. 1 and which are bolted as at M1 to the opposite ends of a cylinder II8, hereinafter referred to as the stencil screen reciprocating cylinder. A piston H9 is mounted for reciprocation within the cylinder H8 and a pair of plungers I20 and I2I are attached'to the piston I I9 and project outwardly from the ends of the cylinder. Positioned above the cylinder I I8, and secured at its ends by means of links I22 to the outer ends of the plungers I20 and III, is an axially slidable actuating bar I23 which follows the movement of the reciprocating piston II9. A pin and slot connection I24 formed between the medial portion of the actuating bar I23 and radius arm I06 imparts reciprocal motion to the latter about the axis of the pivot I04 upon reciprocation of the actuating bar I23.

In order to elevate the stencil screen assembly 96 from contact with the tumbler T undergoing decoration at the decorating station D, the bearing blocks 99, previously referred to, which support the side portions of the frame 98, serve to support therebetween a transversely extending rock shaft I25 which is rockably journalled in the blocks 99, Positioned directly beneath the side portions of the frame 98 and secured by pins I26 to the rock shaft I25 is a pair of levers I21 carrying rollers I28 at their outer ends. Each end of the shaft I25 carries an operating lever I29,

' the outer ends of which levers are connected by means of links I30 to the movable core I3I of an actuating solenoid I32, the operation of which will subsequently be described. Upon retraction of the core I3I into the casing of the solenoid I32, the levers I29 are depressed, thus elevating the levers I21 and rollers I28, which rollers engage the underneath side of the frame 98 and elevate the same, together with the entire stencil screen assembly.

In order that the frictional contact between the stencil screen and tumbler undergoing decoration at the decorating station may not tend to carry the entire tumbler orienting assembly including the shaft 13, supporting rods 19, and rollers 8| in the direction of movement of the screen S, means is provided for periodically looking the assembly in a fixed position. Toward this end, the gear (Figs. 1 and 3) is provided with four holding pins I35 which project laterally from one face thereof and which are spaced apart equidistantly in adjacent quadrants on the face of the gear. A bifurcated holding detent I36 is mounted on the lower end of a rod I31 which is vertically slidable in the table 9I and is normally held in an elevated pcsitioriby means of a coil spring I38 which surrounds the rod I31 and bears at opposite ends thereof against the table and a collar I39 respectively. The upper end of the rod I31 is adapted to be engaged by an overlying portion of the tiltable stencil screen assem- Referring now to Figs. 1 and 6 wherein the squeegee mechanism is best illustrated, the casting I is provided with an upstanding flange I39 which extends across the machine and which is provided with a central rectangular opening I40. A rock shaft I4I, journalled in bearings in the side walls of the opening I40, extends horizontally across the opening I40 and rockably supports thereona squeegee fcarrying arm I 42. The forward end of the arm I42 is provided with a pair of downwardly extending parallel flanges I43 (Fig.

2) between whichthe squeegee unit S previously referred to. is suspended. In order to initially adjust the squeegee, unit to the stencil screen S and to regulate the degree of pressure thereon, an adjusting screw I44 passes through the arm I42 and engages the top of the casting I00.

The squeegee supporting arm I42 extends rearwardly of. the rock shaft I4I as at I45 and the rear portion thereof is adapted, upon elevation of the stencil screen from the tumbler, to engage a roller -I46 which is positioned in its path. The roller I46 is rotatably carried by a bracket I41 which is adjustably secured by a bolt I46 to a cross-bar I46 which is supported at its ends from the upper ends of a pair of standards I50 bolted or otherwise secured to the table 6i. Upon en'- gagement of the rear portion I46 of the squeegee supporting arm I 42 with the roller I46, the arm I42 is rocked about the axis of the rock shaft I in such a manner that the squeegee S is lifted from the screen S to clear the mass of enamel composition or paint thereon. A coil spring I5I (Fig. 2) centered upon a pin I62 passing through the arm I42 and carried by the casting I00, serves to return the squeegee arm to its operative position in contact with the screen S upon lowering of the'stencil screen assembly. A wing nut I53 threaded uponthe pin I52 permits adjustment of the tension of the spring I5I and consequently the pressure of the squeegee upon the screen S.

Tm; Srzncmno OPERATION .Without reference to the actual pneumatic or electrical actuating control devices for the operating cylinders 43 and H6 and the solenoids I32, which devices have as yet not been described, the stenciling operation is made by the application of a quantity of a suitable vitreous enamel preparationto the upper surface of the screen .8 and by movement of the screen bodily in its own plane-in one direction or the other across the surface of the tumbler T with which it is in rolling contact. During oscillation of the screen, the stationary squeegee blade 8' forces the coloring material through the pervious portions of the screen and onto the surface of the article which is caused to by virtue of its tractional englgement with thfl screen during movement Of the latter. After the decoration has been applied to the tumbler T, and further movement of the screen in the same direction is limited by enmement of one of the abutments III withdts respective limitv stop II6, the levers I21 which carry. the rollers Illare brought into operation upon rocking of the shaft I26 to elevate the stencil andcause the screen'to be lifted with'the tumbler T. The squeegee which'is mounted upon the casting m of the stencil screen assembly is moved upwardly, and upon contact of the rearwardly extending portion I45 of the squeegee supporting arm I 42 with the roller I46, the squeegee is lifted from the screen S and is thus caused to clear the pool of enamel composition on the upper surface of the screen. With the squeegee and stencil screen assemblies thus elevated, access may be had to the decorated tumbler T which is removed manually from the supporting rollers 8|.

THE PNEUMATIC Connor. Insrnomanmmrms In order to cause reciprocation of the piston 43 in the cylinder 44 (Fig. 12) and perform the indexing operation of the conveyor 26 to deposit the tumblers T one. at a time onto the inclined runway 33, the piston is normally maintained in one extreme position in the cylinder by means of a coil spring I60, and means is provided for periodically admitting air under pressure into the cylinder and for exhausting the same.

Accordingly, the normally projecting plunger 64 which is secured to the piston 43 is provided with a pair of spaced actuating trip fingers I6I and I62 between which there extends the free end of a trip arm I63 mounted on a horizontal rock shaft I64 (Figs. 4, 7 and 12). A coil spring I65 connected to the free end of the trip arm I63 imparts to the arm an unstable degree of equilibrium so that upon tripping of the arm by either of the fingers I6I or I62 upon movement of the plunger 64, the trip arm will occupy a position in contact with one or the other of a pair of limit stops I66 and I61 carried by a bracket I66 bolted to the table 20. An intake valve V,'an exhaust valve V and a pilot valve V, the purpose of which latter valve will be described later, are secured in alignment to the table 20, and are adapted to beactuated by the rock shaft I64 which extends through the respective casings of these valves.

The exhaust valve V (Figs. 7 and 8) comprises a cylindrical casing I in which there is disposed a rotor "I which is mounted for rocking movement on the shaft I64. The casing I10 is provided with ports I13 and I14. In the full line position of the rotor I1I, communication between the ports I13 and I14 is precluded, while in the dotted line position of the rotor, communication between these ports is established.

The intake valve V (Figs. 7 and 8) comprises a cylindrical casing I in which there is disposed a rotor I16 which is mounted on the shaft I64 for periodic indexing movement thereof and which is adapted to be periodically indexed upon rocking of the shaft I64 by means of an indexing ratchet and pawl mechanism I11. The casing I15 is provided on one side thereof with ports I16 and I16, and on the other side thereof with ports I60 and I6I. In the full line position of the rotor I16, communication betweenthe ports I16 and I16, and between the ports I60 and I6I, is established, while in the dotted line position'thereof, communication between the ports I16 and I 60, and between the ports I16 and I6I, is established. In either the full line or the dotted line position of the rotor I16, a pair of locking 'dete'nts I6 serves to hold the rotor in position.

The pilot valve V is substantially identical with the inlet valve V and the same reference numerals are applied to the operative parts thereof. This valve is designed to control the movements of a slide valve which in turn is adapted to control the movemt: of the piston H6 in the cylinder III. The

ng I16 of the pilot valve W is 7 amass? It is to be noted that the rotors of the inlet valve V and pilot valve V occupy positions on the shaft I68 at right angles to each other.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 12, a pair of auxiliary intake valves W and V are mounted on the rearwardly extending supporting arms II and I I6 respectively of the stencil screen frame 98 and are substantially identical in construction. Each valve comprises a casing I88 in which there is mounted for reciprocation a valve member I81 having a passage I88 extending therethrough. Plungers I88 are secured to the respective valve members I81 and project from the casings thereof and are normally maintained in extended position by means of coil springs I98 disposed within the casings I86. A pair of actuating fingers I9I and I92 are mounted on the reciprocable rod I23. The fingers I! and I92 are adapted, upon reciprocation of the piston II9 in the cylinder II8, to alternately engage the plungers I88 of the valves V and V respectively -to cause the plungers I88 to be moved inwardly of the cylinders to move the valve members against the action of the coil springs I88.

The casing of the valve V is provided with a pair of ports I93 and I94 while the casing of the valve V is provided with similar ports I95 and I98. The ports I93 and I98 and the ports I95 and I98 are normally'out of communication but are adapted to be brought into communication by the passage I88 when the respective valve member I81 is moved against the action of the coil spring I98 to its extreme position.

Referring now to Figs. 2 and 12, the slide valve V which is designed to control the movements of the piston II9 in the cylinder H8, is supported upon a pair of standards 288 which extend between the tables 9i and 28 and includes a casing 28I or cylinder in which there is disposed for longitudinal reciprocation a valve member 282 having transverse passages 283 and 284 extending therethrough. A'relatively wide annular groove 285 extends completely around the surface of the valve in the medial regions thereof. The valve casing 28I is provided with a pair of opposed ports 286 and 281 adjacent one end .thereof and with a pair of similar ports 288 and 289 adjacent the other end thereof. When the reciprocable valve member 282 is in the position indicated in Fig. 12, communication between the ports 288 and 289 is established through the passage 284 and also communication between the port 281 and a port 2I8 is established through the groove 285. When the member 282 is in the other extreme position, communication between the ports 286 and 2-81 is established through the passage 283, while at the same time communication between the ports 289 and 2I8 is also established. Combined intake andexhaust ports 2 and 2I2 are provided inthe ends of the casing or cylinder rior of the cylinder. The port I13 thereof is connected directly to the atmosphere.

The primary function of the intake valve V is to control the admission of air pressure to the cylinder 44 and'is dependent upon the auxiliary intake valves V and V Toward this end, the port I18of the valve V is connected through pipe sections, b, c and d and through a main shutoff valve V to a source of compressed air (not shown). The port I19. is connected through a pipe section e to the port I94 of the auxiliary intake valve V The port I88 is connected through a pipe section I to the port. I 96 of the auxiliary valve V The intake valve V is adapted to perform a secondary function, namely to bleed the pipe sections e and j to the atmosphere when these sections are closed off by the auxiliary valves V and V Accordingly, the port I8I of the intake valve V is connected directly to the atmosphere.

The function of the auxiliary intake valve V is td control the admission of air pressure to the cylinder 44 when the piston III! of the cylinder H8 is in one extreme position. Similarly the function of the auxiliary intake valve V is to control the admission of air pressure to the cylinder 48 when the piston H9 is in the other extreme position. Toward this end, the port I93 of the valve V is connected through pipe sections 9 and h to the interior of the cylinder 48 while the. port I95 of the valve V is connected through a' pipe section-z and through the pipe section it to the interior of the cylinder 44.

The sole function of the pilotvalve V is to control the movement of the valve member 282 in the casing or cylinder 28I of the slide valve V Toward this end, the port I82 of the valve V is connected through a pipe section 7, and pipe sections 0 and d and valve V to the source of compressed air. The port I83 is connected through a pipe section k, having a reducing valve -V" interposed therein, to the port 2II provided in one end of the casing 28I of the valve V The port I84 is connected through a pipe section m, having a reducing valve V interposed therein, to the port 2I2 provided in the other end of the casing 28I of the valve V The port I85 is connected directly to the atmosphere.

The sole function of the slide valve V is to control the movement of the piston H9 in the cylinder H8. Toward this end, the ports 281 and 289 thereof are connected by respective pipe sections n and o to the opposite ends of the cylinder H8. The ports 288 and 288 are connected directly to the atmosphere. The port 2I8 is connected through a pipe section p and through the pipe section d and valve V to the source of compressed air.

THE Emc'rnrcsn CONTROL INSTRUMENTALITIES cally actuated, each actuation thereof occurring immediately after the stencil screen has completed its decorating stroke in either direction.

Means is provided for alternately closing separate circuits through the solenoids I32, the particular circuit employed depending upon the position of the stencil screen at one or the other side of the apparatus. When the stencil screen is in the position indicated inFig. 6, with the piston H9 in the corresponding position shown in Fig. 12,

immediately after the decorating stroke has taken place, an electrical circuit may be applied from a source E of current, through a conductor C, switch 2I6, conductors F and G, switch 2I6, conductors H and I, solenoids I32, and a conductor J. When the stencil screen is in the other extreme position, immediately after the decorating stroke has been completed, an electrical circuit may be applied from the source E of current, through the conductor C, a conductor K, a switch 2I'I, conductors L and G, switch 2I8, conductors N and I, solenoids I32, and conductor J.

The switch 2I5 is secured to the casing of the cylinder IIB (Figs. 6 and 12) and is positioned in the path of an actuating finger 2I 9 mounted near the outer end of the plunger I20. When the piston I I9 reaches one extreme position thereof with the plunger I20 in its extended position, the actuating finger 2I9 engages and closes the switch 2I5. Similarly, the switch 2II is secured to the casing of the cylinder I I8 and is positioned in the path of an actuating finger 220 mounted near the outer end of he plunger I2I. When the piston II! reaches its other extreme position with the plunger 'I2I thereof in its extended position, the actuating finger 22I! engages and closes the switch 2| 1.

The switch 2! is secured to a stationary part of the apparatus and is positioned in the path of a plunger 22I carried by the valve member 202 of the slide valve V When the valve member is moved to one extreme position thereof so that the plunger 22I is in its extended position, the end of the plunger engages and closes the switch 2I6. Similarly, the switch 2I6 is positioned in the path of a plunger 222 carried by the valve member 202 and isadapted to be closed thereby when the plunger is extended and the valve member is in the other extreme position thereof.

THE OPERATION or THE Arrxas'ros- In the operation of the apparatus, the tumblers T are placed upon the tumbler supports 32 (Fig. and the main shutoif valve V is opened, thus admitting air under pressure to the interior of the cylinder 44 (Fig. 12) from the source of compressed air through the valve V', pipe sections d, c, and b, inlet valve V, pipe section e, auxiliary inlet valve Vi, and pipe sections a and h. The piston 43 is thus moved against the action of the coil spring I60 across the cylinder 44, thus actu- :ginsga the rack and gear mechanisms 36, H and As fully set forth previously, actuation of the rack and gear mechanism 36, 4I, causes the conveyor 26 to be indexed, thus depositing the existing tumbler specifically designated at T (Fig. 2) onto the incline or runway 33 where it assumes the position of the tumbler specifically designated at 'P. Actuation of the rack and gear mechanism 62, 63, causes the rock shaft 66 (Fig. 1) to be oscillated in one direction throughout an angle of ninety degrees, thus. lowering the tumbler support 46 and withdrawing the depending abutment plate 5| from the path of the foremost tumbler T on the incline 33 and permitting the tumbler to roll by gravity onto the tumbler support 46 to assume the dotted line position indicated specifically at T.

Immediately prior to the lowering of the tumbler support 46, and simultaneous with the rocking movement of the shaft 66, the shaft 13 (Fig. 2) is advanced one hundred and eighty degrees in the direction indicated by the arrow. The specific tumbler T carried by the tumbler support 46 is engaged by the tumbler impeller E33 and is elevated on the circular arcuate track 41 into decorating position at the decorating station D as indicated by the specific tumbler T As the piston 43 in the cylinder 44 (Fig. 12) approaches the end of its stroke against the action of the coil spring I60, the trip finger I6I engages the trip arm I63 and causes the rock shaft I64 to be turned in one direction throughout an angle of ninety degrees, thus altering the respective positions of the rotor III of the exhaust valve V and of the rotors I16 of the inlet valve V and pilot valve W respectively so that they assume the dotted line positions thereof. The piston 43 is immediately returned to its normal position due to the action of the coil spring I60, air escaping from the cylinder 44 through the pipe section a and exhaust valve V The immediate return of the piston 43 to-its normal position causes actuation of the racks H and 63 in the opposite direction, thus rocking the shaft 56 throughout an angle of ninety degrees and causing the tumbler support 46 to elevate the tumbler T resting thereon into alignment with the circular arcuate track 41 to assume the position indicated by the specific tumbler T Since the rotors I16 of the valves V and W are not keyed to the shaft I64 but are merely indexed thereby, these members remain in their ninety degree position of angularity. Compressed air is then admitted to the slide valve V through the pipe sections d, c, and 7', pilot valve V, pipe section k, and reducing valve V", thus causing movement of the valve-member 262 slowly across the cylinder 2M. Air is simultaneously exhausted from the cylinder 2IlI through the pipe section 112 and pilot valve V.

Initial movement of the valve member 232 of the slide valve V causes the plunger 222 to leave the switch 2 I6 and permit the same to open. The

existing circuit through the conductor 0, switch 2I6, conductors F and G, switch 2I6, conductors H and I, solenoids I32'and conductor J, is broken by the opening of the switch 2I6, and the solenoids I32 are deenergized, thus permitting the stencil screen and squeegee assembly to be lowered by the action of gravity so that the stencil screen comes into tangential rolling line contact with the tumbler '1'.

As soonas the valve member 262 of the valve V reaches its extreme position, compressed air is admitted to the cylinder II8 (Fig. 12) through the pipe sections dand p, slide valve V, and pipe section 0. Simultaneously, air is exhausted from the cylinder I I6 through pipe section 1: and slide valve V The piston II! is thus caused to move across the cylinder II3, immediately releasing the plunger ll! of the valve V and bleeding the entrapped air in the pipe section e to the atmosphere through the valve V. Movement of the piston II 9 across the cylinder III In the manner just indicated, operates through the pin and slot connection I24 as previously described to cause the stencil screen to be moved in its own plane across the surface of the tumbler .T' to decorate the same.

with the valve member 232 in the extreme position other than that shown in Fig. 12, during movement of the piston IIII across the cylinder III, the end of the plunger 22I closes the switch 2I8. Thus, when the'piston II8 reaches the end of its stroke and the actuating finger 220 closes the switch 2I'I, the circuit through conductors C and K, switch 2", conductors L and G, switch 2I6, conductors N and I, solenoids I32, and conductor J is completed, thus energizing the solenoids I32 and causing the stencil screen and squeegee assembly to be again elevated.

With the stencil screen and squeegee assembly elevated, the operator is given access to the decorated tumbler T which is removed from the sup porting rollers Bl. When the auxiliary inlet valve V is actuated by movement of the piston M9 across the cylinder H8, another impulse is applied to the cylinder M through pipe sections 02,- cand b, inlet valve V, pipe section 1, auxiliary valve V and pipe sections 2' and h. The racks -53 and M are again indexed in the manner previously described to advance each tumbler carried by the apparatus to the next succeeding position.

As the impulse is applied to the cylinder lit to perform the various indexing operations previously described, the respective rotors of the valves V and V are again moved to the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 12, while the rotor of the valve V is moved to the dotted line position. Upon return of the piston 43 to its normal position by the action of the coil spring Hill as previously described, the rotor of this latter valve V also assumes the full line position thereof. Compressed air is admitted to the slide valve V through the pipe sections d, c, and 9', pilot valve V pipe section m and reducing valve V thus causing movement of the valve member 202 across the cylinder 2!, air being exhausted therefrom through the pipe'section k and valve V The solenoids I32 are deenergized as the plunger 22! leaves the switch 2H3 and the stencil screen and squeegee assembly is accordingly lowered into decorating position in contact with the next tumbler T Upon reaching its extreme position, the valve member V permits compressed air to be admitted to the cylinder llii through the pipe sections 11 and p, slide valve V and pipe section 11. The piston H9. is thus caused to move across the cylinder H8 immediately releasing the plunger l89'of the valve V and bleeding the entrapped air i'n'the pipe section j to the atmosphere through the valve V. Movement of the piston H9 across the cylinder in the manner just indicated, operates through the pin and slot connection I24 to cause the stencil screen to be moved in its own plane, in a direction opposite to that previously described, to decorate the tumbler '15 during its tangential rolling line contact therewith.

When the valve member 202 has again assumed the position shown in Fig. 12, the end of the plunger 222 engages and closes the switch 2l6. Thus when the piston H8 reaches the end of its stroke and the actuating finger 2l9 closes the switch 2l5, the circuit through the conductor C,

switch 2l5, conductors F and G, switch 2H5,

conductors H and I, solenoids I32 and conductor J is completed, thus energizing the solenoids 132 I and causing the stencil screen and squeegee assembly to be again elevated. The operator may assembly is mounted at the outer end of the ment of the stencil screen has been referred to as an oscillating movement throughout the specification and claims. It is obvious however that where tumblers or bottles having straight parallel cylindrical sides are to be decorated, the stencil screen would be caused to reciprocate" in a straight line over the surface of such articles. Therefore in the specification and claims the word oscillate and its derivatives are not tobe so strictly construed as to limit movement of the stencil screen to an arcuate path. The broader interpretation which includes reciprocal movement of the screen in a straight line is intended.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles including a movable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, a conveyor for articles to be decorated, means for periodically indexing said conveyor, a runway cooperating with said conveyor and adapted upon indexing of said conveyor to receive thereon successive articles issuing from said conveyor, an article supportprojecting upwardly in the path of move ment of the articles on said runway and against which the foremost article is adapted to bear,

means synchronized with said indexing means for periodically lowering and raising said article support below and above the level of said runway to permit the foremost article thereon to be received on said support and elevated thereby, and means synchronized with said indexing means for periodically removing the elevated articles from said support and for conveying the same to said stencil screen to be decorated.

2. In an apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles including a movable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, a conveyor for the articles to be decorated, means for periodically indexing said conveyor, a runway cooperating with said conveyor and adapted upon indexing of said conveyor to receive thereon successive articles issuing from said conveyor, an abutment positioned in the path of movement of said articles on said runway against which the foremost tumbler on said runway is adapted to bear, an article support cooperating with said runway and movable from a lowered position in alignment with said runway to an elevated position, means synchronized with said indexing means for pcriodically withdrawing said abutment from the path of movement of said articles on said runway while simultaneously lowering said support into alignment with said runway to permit said foremost article to be received thereon and for restoring said abutment while simultaneously elevating said support with the tumbler thereon, and means synchronized with said indexing means for periodically removing the elevated article from said support and for conveying the same to said stencil screen to be decorated.

, 3. In an apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles including a movable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, a runway adapted to receive thereon successive articles to be decorated, an article support projecting upwardly .in the path of movement of the articles on said runway and against which the foremost article on said runway is adapted to bear, means for periodically lowering and raising said support below and above the level of said runway to permit the foremost article thereon to be receivedon said support and elevated thereby, and means synchronized with the movement of said support for removing the articles therefrom and for conveying the same to said stencil screen to be decorated.

4. In an apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles including a movable screen and a squeegee therefor, means for receiving successive articles to be decorated'in a cumbent" position at a receiving station, means for suecessively elevating said articles from the receiving station to an intermediate position below the level of said stencil screen, and means synchronized with said elevating means for'successively conveying said articles from said intermediate position to said stencil screen to be decorated.

5. In an apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles including a movable screen and a squeegee therefor, means for receiving successive articles to be decorated in a cumbent position at a receiving station, a track upon which the articles are adapted to be moved from said-receiving station to the stencil screen, means for periodically transferring successive articles at said receiving station to a position in alignment with said track, and means synchronized with said transferring means for impelling the thus aligned articles on said track to said stencil screen tobedecorated.

6; In an apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles including a movable screen and a squeegee therefor, means for receiving successive articles to be decorated in a cumbent position at a receiving station below the level of said screen, van upwardly extending track, the lower end of which terminates in a plane above the level of said receiving station and the upper end of which terminates adjacent said stencil screen, means for periodically transferring successive articles received at said receiving station to an intermediate position in alignment with the lower end of said track, and means synchronized with said transferring means for impelling the' articles from said intermediate position on said track to said stencil screen to be decorated.

,7. In an apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles including'a movable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, means for receiving articles to be decorated in a cumbent position at a receiving station below the level of said screen, an article support including rollers upon which successive articles are adapted to be supported in tangential rolling line contact with said screen, said support-being capable of swinging movement about a horizontal axis from an inverted position adjacent said receiving station to an upright position adjacent the screen, means for periodically elevating successive articles at said receiving station into contact with the inverted support, and means synchronized with said elevating means for periodically swinging said support with the article in contact therewith about saidaxis to an upright position with the article thereon in tangential rolling line contact with said screen.

8. In an apparatus for decorating the curved screen, said support being capable of swinging movement about a horizontal axis from an inverted position adjacent said receiving station to an upright position adjacent the screen, means for periodically elevating successive articles at ,carried by said support for impelling the elevated articles upwardly on said track into contact with said screen, and means synchronized with said elevating means for periodically swinging said support about said axis.

9.,In an apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles including a movable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, means for receiving articles to be decorated in a cumbent position at a receiving station below the level of said screen, an arcuate track extending from a point in the vicinity of said receiving station upwardly to a point in the vicinity of said screen, means for successively aligning the articles received at said receiving station with the lower end of said track, and means synchronized with said aligning means for successively impelling the thus aligned articles upwardly on said track into contact with said screen.

10. In an apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles including a movable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, means for reto an upright position adjacent the screen, means for periodically elevating successive articles at said receiving station into contact with themverted support, means synchronized with said elevating means for periodically swinging saidsupport about said axis, and means extending in the path of swinging movement of said support and between which means and the support the articles are adapted to be confined during the swinging movement of the former to elevate said articles with the support into contact with said stencil screen.

11. In a stenciling apparatus fo r decorating the curved surfaces of articles, comprising a stencil screen assembly including a horizontally oscillatable screen, means for positioning successive articles to be decorated against said screen with the curved surfaces thereof in tangential rolling line contact therewith, means for applying a decorating material through said screen to the respective surfaces of said articles upon oscillation of said screen, and means operable upon completion of each oscillation of the screen for tilting said stencil screen assembly about a horizontal axis to elevate said screen from contact with the respective surfaces of said articles.

12. In a stenciling apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles, a stencil screen assembly including a horizontally oscillatable screen, means for positioning successive articles to be decorated against said screen with the curved surfaces thereof in tangential'rolling line contact therewith, means for applying decorating material through said screen to the respective surfaces of said articles upon oscillation ofsaid screen, and electromagnetic means for tilting said stencil screen assembly about a horizontal axis to elevate said screen from contact with the respective surfaces of said articles upon completion of each oscillation of the screen.

13. In a stenciling apparatus for decorating the curved surface of an article, a horizontally oscillatable stencil screen, means for positioning an article to be-d'ecorated against said screen with the curved'surface thereof in tangential rolling line contact therewith, a cylinder having a piston," reciprocable therein, means connecting said piston with the stencil screen, means for admitting motive fluid alternately to the opposite ends of said cylinder to oscillate the screen, ,and means actuated by movement of said piston for elevating said screen from contact with the surface of said article upon completion of each reciprocation of said stencil screen.

14. In a stenciling apparatus for repeatedly decorating the curved surfaces of successive articles, a horizontal oscillatable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, a conveyor for articles to be decorated, a runway cooperating with the conveyor and adapted upon indexing of said conveyor to receive thereon successive articles issuing from said conveyor, a cylinder having .a piston slidably mounted therein, an article support projecting upwardly in the path of movement of the articles on said runway and against which the foremost article is adapted to bear, means operable upon movement of said piston in one direc-'- tion for indexing said conveyor, means operable upon such movement of said piston for lowering said article support below the level of said runway to permit the foremost article thereon to be received on said support and operable upon movement of said piston in the other direction for raising said article support together with the article thereon, means operable upon movement of said piston ,in said first direction for removing a previously elevated article from said support and TM conveying the same to said stencil .screen to bedecorated, and means for actuating said piston. 15. In a stenciling apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles, a horizontally oscillatable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, a conveyor adapted to receive thereon the articles to be decorated, an article support cooperating with the conveyor and adapted upon indexing of the latter to receive thereon successive articles issuing from the conveyor, a cylinder having a piston slidably mounted thereon, means operable upon movement of said piston in one direction for indexing said conveyor, means also operable upon movement of said piston in the same direction for elevating an article on said support above the level thereof, means operable upon such movement of the piston for removing a previously elevated article from said support and for conveying the same to said screen to be decorated, and means for vactuating said piston.

16. In a stenciling apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles, an oscillatable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, a cylinder having a piston reciprocable therein, means connecting said piston and screen whereby reciprocationv of said piston in the cylinder will cause oscillation of said screen, and means for admitting motive fluid alternately to .theoppo site ends of said cylinder to reciprocate the piston therein.

17. In a stenciling apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles, an oscillatable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, a conveyor adapted to receive thereon the articles to be decorated, means for indexing said conveyor, a cylinder having a piston reciprocable therein, means connecting said piston and screen whereby reciprocation of said piston in the cylinder will cause oscillation of said screen, and means controlled by said indexing means for admitting motive fluid alternately to the opposite ends of said cylinder to reciprocate the piston therein.

18. In a stenciling apparatus for decorating the curved surfaces of articles, an. oscillatable stencil screen and a squeegee therefor, a conveyor adapted to receive thereon the articles to be decorated, means for indexing said conveyor, means synchronized with said indexing means for transferring articles from said conveyor to said screen successively, and means also synchronized with said indexing means for oscillatingsaid screen.

19. In a stenciling apparatusya squeegee arm pivoted for swinging movement about a vertical axis, a stencil screen mounted on the outer free end of said arm, a cylinder having a piston mounted for reciprocation therein, a reciprocable rod connected to said piston for reciprocation therewith, a pin and slot connection between said rod and squeegee arm medially of the arm, and means for causing reciprocation of said piston in said cylinder.

' HENRY W. SCHNEIDER. LAWRENCE 0. MANKIN. 

